Flower Pot

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a flower pot ( 100 ) comprising an outer pot ( 10 ), which is open toward the lop and encompasses an inner space, wherein the outer pot ( 10 ) is provided with openings ( 42 ) in the lower region for ventilating the inner space, furthermore comprising an inner pot ( 30 ) open toward the top for receiving plant substrate, wherein the inner pot ( 30 ) can be inserted in the outer pot ( 10 ), a water holding area ( 40 ) comprising a water reservoir ( 47 ), which is provided such that moisture exchange is possible between the inner pot ( 30 ) and the water reservoir ( 47 ), and a water replenishing element ( 50 ), which enables targeted filling of the water holding area ( 40 ) when the inner pot ( 30 ) is inserted in the outer pot ( 10 ). According to the invention, this flower pot ( 100 ) provides that the inner pot ( 30 ) is placed in the outer pot ( 10 ) and rests on the water holding area ( 40 ), wherein the inner pot bottom ( 36 ) is provided with at least one recess ( 38 ) directed toward the upper opening of the inner pot, wherein the recess height is greater than the maximum water level of the water in the water reservoir ( 47 ) of the water holding area ( 40 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371of International Application No. PCT/EP2006/006647 filed Jul. 7, 2006,published in German, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plant pots are known in a great variety of types and forms. In thesimplest case, they consist of a pot-like container that receives theplant substratum together with the roots of a plant. Plant substratum isunderstood to mean the material that is placed in the pot-likecontainers and in which the plant's roots are bedded. Plant substratastore air, water and nutrients. Examples of plant substrata are soil,sand, clay, pumice, lava, turf or peat. Since the containers are easilysoiled and damaged by the plant substratum, the plants themselves andwater and nutrients that are added, they are usually made of plastic anddesigned to be purely functional. In order to improve the outerappearance of the plants that are generally used as house- or gardendecorations with their plant pots, the containers described aregenerally placed as an inner pot in an outer pot that can more easily begiven the desired appearance and that is often made of ceramic or clay.

For the selection of a construction of a plant pot, however, onlyaesthetic aspects play a role. Particularly for house plants, it isimportant that the plant, which must exist outside its naturalenvironment and which, in contrast to outdoor plants, has only aseverely limited space for its roots, be given the optimal livingconditions. These are a function of factors such as light- andtemperature conditions, as well as the supply of water and air to theplants. The last two factors are influenced by the plant pot.

Plants confined to a container are usually supplied with water in thatwater is poured on the plant substratum. In this, the person who istaking care of the plants must be careful that the roots of the plantsneither dry out nor are exposed to accumulated wetness. This requiresnot only regular and careful pouring, but also dosing with the rightquantity of water with each pouring.

In addition, for all plants, good ventilation of their roots isdesirable, in order to prevent rotting of the roots, and plants alsoabsorb materials from the air for their metabolism. For some plants,such as, for example, epiphytically-grown orchids or ferns, the airsupply to the roots is even essential. In order to improve theventilation to the root structure, plant pots are known that haveopenings for air circulation.

The required water- and air supply to the roots are not independent ofone another. Thus, too great a supply of water without additionalmeasures result in accumulated wetness in the plant substratum, whichleads to inadequate aeration of the root area and eventually to arotting of the roots and the decay of the plants. Conversely, a highdegree of air circulation with an inadequate water supply may contributeto a faster drying-out of the plant substratum and the roots. Inaddition to the lack of water for the plants, this has the disadvantagethat the re-wetting of the dried-out plant substratum is generally verydifficult.

For these reasons, the right living conditions can be maintained onlywith difficulty and with a relatively high investment of time. Thus,persons who do not have sufficient experience are often not able to keepa plant alive over a long period of time. This has the consequence thatmany people do without plants in their home- or work environment,although it is known that plants can have a positive influence onhealth, even beyond oxygen production. There are plants, for example,that can filter or eliminate toxic substances and dangerous gasesproduced by building materials, pieces of equipment or electronicdevices, and in this way provide room air that is clean, oxygen-rich,and low in hazardous materials. For example, special plants are knownthat can absorb targeted substances that have been called responsiblefor the group of complaints and illnesses such as allergies, respiratoryproblems or cancer known as “sick building syndrome”, and convert themto harmless substances such as oxygen. Many of these plants, however,come from tropical or sub-tropical areas and therefore require livingconditions that they would not easily find as houseplants. The airpurification therefore takes place primarily not through thechlorophyll, but rather almost exclusively through the roots, and theplant substratum that surrounds them, so that in this regard, too, goodair circulation in the root area is of great significance.

In order to counter the problems in connection with the care ormaintaining of plants, plant pots have been developed with the goal ofpreventing the wrong watering of the plants and/or insufficientventilation of the root area, with the least possible effort for people.Such plant pots generally have an inner pot open on top to receive theplant substratum, an outer pot or outer casing open on top to receivethe inner pot and a water reservoir that may be designed as a base forthe outer pot or as a separate container. The walls of the inner potoften have openings through which air can reach the inner pot.Furthermore, the inner pot is connected with the water reservoir in sucha way that water can be exchanged between the inner pot and the waterreservoir. Such an arrangement has the advantage that water that is notimmediately taken up by the roots, and cannot be stored in the plantsubstratum is taken into the water reservoir, stored temporarily and canthen be fed into the inner pot, if the roots need water again. In thismanner, in the ideal case both accumulated wetness, with the associatedlack of ventilation of the roots, as well as the drying out of theroots, can be prevented. Furthermore, the watering intervals arelengthened. However, the aforementioned goals have not been sufficientlyrealized by the known plant pots.

From DE 91 12 058 U1, a plant pot for the individual planting of orchidsis known. This has an inner pot to receive the plant substratum and theplant and an outer pot that has ventilation openings in the upper partof its side wall. The inner pot has, in its side wall and in its base,also has ventilation openings, and is placed in the outer pot in such away that its base is at a certain distance above the base of the outerpot. In this way, the interior space of the outer pot that is locatedunder the inner pot is designed as a water reservoir. In order to supplythe plants with water, water is poured, up to a maximum fill height,into the outer pot, which lies under the base of the inner pot. Thewater supply then takes place by means of evaporated water that entersthe inner pot through openings in its base and walls. This constructionhas the disadvantage that when too much water is poured, the base of theperforated pot can come in contact with the water in the reservoir, withthe result that the plant substratum becomes too wet, and furthermore,air circulation through the ventilation openings is impossible orpossible only to a limited extent.

WO 02/082884 discloses a plant pot that has a perforated pot to receiveplant substratum, a supporting insert that serves as water storage, onwhich the perforated pot is placed, and a cover or outer casing in whichthe perforated pot and supporting insert are each connected in adetachable manner. The cover widens toward the bottom in a conicalshape, so that between the perforated pot or supporting insert and thecover there is an air slot that goes around and is closed on the bottomand on the top, through which ventilation can take place. This designhas the disadvantage that it is complicated, and that maintenance of theplant basket or water storage requires great effort, since manyindividual components must be disassembled. Furthermore, only limitedventilation is possible, since adequate air flow cannot be maintained inthe air slot due to the plant substratum being only poorly permeable toair. This arrangement has an additional disadvantage in that the plantpot must be assembled before planting. Subsequent replacement of thevisible and thus decorative outer pot is not possible or possible onlywith great effort, since this would have to be pushed over the plant.

A further disadvantage of such known plant pots has its cause in thatthe outer casing or outer pot is often made of ceramic or clay, and theinner pot and any separate water storage are generally made of plastic.Since ceramic parts, unlike plastic, cannot be made with a high degreeof accuracy in terms of their shape, there is a danger that theindividual components cannot be placed at the intended distance from oneanother. For example, due to imprecise form, the inner pot cannot beplaced relative to the water storage in such a way that the base of theinner pot, for example, comes into direct contact with the water in thereservoir. Furthermore, there is a danger that because of the varyingdimensions, the assembly of the components is impossible, or possibleonly with difficulty. This can also lead to the plant pot beingunstable.

From WO 2006/058721 another plant pot of the aforementioned type isknown. Here the inner pot is hung on a casing that forms an outer pot.On the inner pot there is an outward-facing collar that is provided withopening, for the outlet of air that has entered through the openings inthe casing and climbed flue-like into the intermediate space. The waterstorage is detachably attached to the inner pot. The inner pot isprovided with an area in which a water level indicator is inserted. Oneembodiment of the water level indicator provides that the water storagecan be filled through the inner tube of the water level indicator.

What might be improved on this plant pot is that the manufacturingtolerances required are very narrow, so that production must be carriedout very carefully, which leads to higher product costs. Furthermore,theoretically, in the case of heavy plants, the inner pot can slidearound in the outer pot and get wedged in.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a plant pot, particularly for house plants, thathas an outer pot that is open on top, and that at least partiallysurrounds an interior space, whereby the outer pot in its lower part isprovided with at least two openings for ventilation of the interiorspace, an inner pot that is open on top for receipt of plant substratum,whereby the inner pot may be inserted into the outer pot, a waterreceptacle with a water storage area, that is designed in such a waythat moisture is exchanged between the inner pot and the water storagearea, and a water-refilling element that allows a targeted filling ofthe water receptacle in the inner pot that is inserted into the outerpot, whereby the inner pot is at least partially arranged inside theinterior space that between the inner pot, the water receptacle and theouter pot a space is provided that connects the openings in the lowerpart of the outer pot and at least one upper opening in the area of theupper edge of the plant pot with one another, and that the inner pot canbe removed from the interior space of the outer pot in a plantedcondition and then re-inserted in it.

The invention has the task of designing a plant pot of the typedescribed at the beginning in such a way that simple and cost-effectiveproduction is possible, while at the same time keeping the ventilationand watering aspects.

The invention solves the problem in that the inner pot is inserted intothe outer pot and stands above the water receptacle, whereby the base ofthe inner pot is provided with at least one indentation oriented towardthe upper opening of the inner pot. It is advantageous that through thisembodiment pursuant to the invention, the manufacturing tolerances areincreased and the execution therefore simplified. Too, an inner pot witha plant in it can no longer get wedged against the outer pot, so thatthe removal of the inner pot from the outer pot is simplified.

An advantageous teaching of the invention provides that the outer pot isconstructed in at least two parts, in the form of a casing and a stand.By means of the two-part construction, it is possible, for example, toreplace the casing for decorative reasons. Also, the cleaning of theouter pot is more easily possible, since, for example, the pedestal canbe cleaned easily, while this is more difficult with a one-piece outerpot.

It is further advantageous that the pedestal has mounting points for thecasing. In this way, a secure and slip-free connection between thecasing and the pedestal is assured.

A further teaching of the invention provides that the water receptacleis integrated into the stand. In t his way, the number of componentsuses is reduced.

A further teaching of the invention provides that the water receptacleis provided with centering means for the inner pot. The centering meansallow a precise insertion of the inner pot in the outer pot or thestand, whereby in turn, a more precise positioning is made possible andwedging of inner- and outer pot avoided.

It is further advantageous that the water receptacle is provided with anoverflow. Through the existence of an overflow, the user can immediatelydetermine if the water storage area of the water receptacle issufficiently filled, since then the water enters the overflow. The wateris preferably placed in the lower areas of the ventilation openings ofthe outer pot, whereby the overflow, in a particularly preferableembodiment, is segmented. Through this placement in the ventilationopenings, it is possible for the user to see directly into the overflow.

It is further advantageous that the water storage area and the overfloware separated from one another by an annular wall. The annual wallprovided allows a simple separation to be made.

A further teaching of the invention provides that the upper ventilationopenings are placed in a ring that is provided on the inner pot andlaterally to the upper rim of the outer pot and/or in a ring that isprovided on the outer pot and lateral to the upper rim of the inner pot.In this way, a connection is provided on the upper part between outer-and inner pot and at the same time ventilation of the intermediate spacebetween outer- and inner pot is assured in a simple manner.

Pursuant to a further teaching of the invention, a water level indicatoris provided for the water level in the water receptacle, whereby thewater level indicator advantageously is placed inside the waterrefilling element and/or in the upper ventilation openings. By means ofthe water level indicator, the user of the plant pot can easilydetermine whether there is still sufficient water in the waterreceptacle. Advantageously, the water refilling element is provided withan inflow area. The provision of an inflow area makes it easier torefill the water receptacle. The water refilling element is thusadvantageously placed in the inner area of the inner pot in a mountingarea provided for it, which preferably is a recess. The water refillingelement also consists of a dividing element that advantageously forms aclosed canal with the wall of the inner pot. In a particularlyadvantageous embodiment, the wall of the inner pot is not provided withopenings in the receptacle area for the water refilling element.

Further, the dividing wall is designed as a cylindrical casing surfaceelement. By means of the provision of a recess in the inner pot and of aseparate dividing element, the advantage is created that the inner potand the dividing element can be more easily manufactured, since thetools for this are easier to produce. At the same time, however, thefunction of reliable refilling is assured.

Further, the water transport means between water receptacle and innerpot, such as, for example, fibers or clay elements may be provided,through which additional transfer of water into the inner pot isachieved.

It is further advantageous that the height of the indentation that isoriented toward the upper opening of the inner pot is greater than themaximum height of the water level in the water storage area of the waterreceptacle. If the depth of the indentation is greater than the heightof the annular wall, this prevents the lower area of the inner pot fromstanding in water, whereby accumulated water is prevented. At the sametime, an overflow over the annular wall of excess water added to thewater receptacle is made possible by means of the fact that theindentation is deeper than the height of the annular wall, and thusthere is a space between the annular wall and the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in greater detail below using one sampleembodiment, accompanied by the drawings. The drawings show:

FIG. 1 a spatial representation of a plant pot pursuant to theinvention,

FIG. 2 a lateral view of the component of the plant pot pursuant to theinvention,

FIG. 3 a a top view of a casing of an outer pot pursuant to theinvention,

FIG. 3 b a lateral view of FIG. 3 a,

FIG. 4 a a lateral view of an inner pot of a plant pot pursuant to theinvention,

FIG. 4 b a spatial view of FIG. 4 a,

FIG. 4 c a top view of FIG. 4 a,

FIG. 5 a a bottom view of a pedestal of a plant pot pursuant to theinvention,

FIG. 5 b a sectional view through a pedestal pursuant to FIG. 5 a,

FIG. 5 c a top view of the pedestal pursuant to FIG. 5 a,

FIG. 6 a a spatial representation of a water refilling element of aplant pot pursuant to the invention,

FIG. 6 b an enlarged view of a section of FIG. 6 a,

FIG. 7 a spatial representation of an inner pot with water refillingelement and water level indicator of a plant pot pursuant to theinvention

FIG. 8 a sectional view of a spatial representation of a second sampleembodiment of a plant pot pursuant to the invention,

FIG. 9 a a lateral view of an inner pot of a second embodiment of aplant pot pursuant to the invention

FIG. 9 b a top view of FIG. 9 a, and

FIG. 10 a top view of a casing of a second embodiment of a plant potpursuant to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a plant pot 100 pursuant to the invention, consisting of anouter pot 10 and an inner pot 30, whereby a water refilling element 50is provided in the inner pot 30. The outer pot 10 consists of a casing20 and a pedestal 40, here also as water receptacle, whereby the casing20 is placed detachably on the pedestal 40.

The pedestal 40 is provided with bars 41, which are arranged around thecircumference of the pedestal 40. The bars 41 have mountings 43 on theirupper ends (see FIG. 2).

The outer rim of the pedestal 40 is provided with a circular edge 44. Anannular wall 45 is placed so that it is spatially divided from thecircular edge 44 (see also FIGS. 2 and 5 b and 5 c).

The casing 20 consists of a conical cylindrical casing element taperedtoward the top, that has an upper opening 21 and a lower opening 22 (seeFIGS. 3 a and 3 b). The casing 20 has an upper rim 23, that has aninward-curving cut 24, that allows a secure insertion of the inner pot30 into the casing 20, and prevents wedging between casing 20 and innerpot 30.

The inner pot 30 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 a to 4 c) has ventilationopenings 31 in its circular side wall 32. The upper part of the innerpot 30 has an opening 33, through which the plant substratum (not shown)is introduced into the inner pot 30. On the upper end of the inner pot30, an outer-facing edge 34 is provided, which has openings 35. Theopenings 35 serve as air outlet openings for the air that enters throughthe ventilation openings 42 in the lower part of the plant pot 100 andthat rises through a flue-like intermediate space. The inner pot 30 hasa base 36 that is divided into two sections 36 a and 36 b. Section 36 ais the base, which belongs to the stand sections 37 of the inner pot 30.The stand section 37 has walls 37 a that are provided with openings forventilation. The base section 36 a is provided with openings 37 b,through which the water can penetrate. This is, for example, water thatis placed directly in the plant substratum, in order to prevent wateraccumulating in the lower part of the plant pot. The base section 36 brepresents the upper part of the indentation 38. The indentation 38 isset into the base of the plant pot, from the base, seen through opening33.

Furthermore, the inner pot, on its wall 32, has a recessed section 39,which is provided with openings 31. Section 39 has two recesses 30 a and39 b, whereby the recess 39 a relates to the upper rim 34 and the upperpart of the wall 32, and the recess 39 b extends from the base 36elliptically along the recessed section 39.

The base section 36 b of the indentation 38 is provided with openings 38a, which also again serve as a water outlet, but at the same time alsofor lower ventilation of the inner pot 30.

The pedestal 40 is illustrated using FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 5 c. Between thecircular edge 44 and the annular wall 45, there is the overflow 46. Thewater storage area 47 is defined by the annular wall 45. Inside thewater storage area 47, centering means 48 are provided, which assure thecorrect placement of the inner pot 30 inside the pedestal 40 and thusalso inside the outer pot 10. On the underside of the pedestal 40 arealignment elements 49. The alignment elements 49 are connected to analignment circle 49 b. In the water storage area 47 there are alignmentelements 49 a, on which the inner pot 30 stands, so that between thebase of the pedestal 40 in the water storage area 47, between thealignment elements 49 a, an opening is formed through which water canpenetrate. The pedestal 40 is represented in FIGS. 5 a to 5 c.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b show the water refilling element 50, which is alsoshown in FIG. 2. The water refilling element 50 consists of acylindrical casing surface element 51 as a dividing element, and ainflow area 52. The inflow area 52 is provided with openings 53, throughwhich the water poured into the inflow area 52 can penetrate.Furthermore, the inflow area 52 has an opening 54, through which thewater level indicator 60 is inserted. The inflow area 52 is surroundedby the wall 55. On the outer edges 56 of the cylindrical casing surfaceelement 51, holding pins 57 are arranged, that can be inserted intoopenings 31 in the inner pot 30.

FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of the inner pot 30 with the waterrefilling element 50 and the water level indicator 60 inserted in it.

FIG. 8 shows a sectional lateral view of a second embodiment of a plantpot 100. On a pedestal 40, an outer casing 20 is placed, in which aninner pot 30 is inserted. The pedestal 40 also has a water levelindicator 47, which is formed by a water curtain 45. In the watercurtain 45, a recess 61 for the water level indicator 60 is provided.The outer casing 20 is provided with a rim 25 that inclines inward, inwhich there are ventilation openings 26 and a receptacle opening 27 forthe water level indicator 60 (see FIG. 10). The inner pot 30 is designedwithout a rim and inserted in the rim 25 of the outer casing 20 thatinclines inward and is again centered by means of the centering means 48in water storage area 47. The inner pot 30 is represented in FIGS. 9 aand 9 b as a second embodiment without a rim. In FIG. 9 b a top view maybe seen, in which once again a water refilling element 50 is inserted inthe inner pot. The rimless embodiment of the inner pot 30 may be seenagain in FIG. 9 a. The inner pot also has a recess 39 for the waterrefilling element 50 with a first recess 39 a in the area of the upperopening 33.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A plant pot, particularly for house plants,comprising: an outer pot having an outer open top, a lower part, atleast two ventilation openings in the lower part, and an outer pot rim,the outer pot at least partially defining an outer interior space; aninner pot having an inner open top for receipt of plant substratum, awall, a base, at least one indentation in the base open to the inneropen top, an inner pot rim, and at least one inner pot rim opening, theinner pot being sized to fit within the outer pot and at least partiallydefining an inner interior space; a water receptacle having a waterstorage area for the exchange of moisture between the inner pot and thewater storage area, the water storage area having a maximum water level;and a water-refilling element for a targeted filling of the waterreceptacle; wherein the inner pot can be at least partially arrangedinside the outer interior space such that a space is provided betweenthe inner pot and the outer pot that connects the at least twoventilation openings with the at least one inner pot rim opening;wherein the inner pot can be removed from the outer interior space in aplanted condition and subsequently re-inserted whereby the inner pot isdisposed within the outer pot and upon the water receptacle.
 18. Theplant pot as claimed in claim 17, wherein the outer pot furthercomprises a casing and a pedestal, wherein the outer pot is constructedfrom at least the casing and the pedestal.
 19. The plant pot as claimedin claim 18, wherein the pedestal further comprises one or more standmounting parts to support the casing.
 20. The plant pot as claimed inclaim 18, wherein the water receptacle is integrated into the pedestal.21. The plant pot as claimed in claim 17, wherein the water receptaclefurther comprises a centering means to center the inner pot.
 22. Theplant pot as claimed in claim 17, wherein the water receptacle furthercomprises an overflow.
 23. The plant pot as clamed in claim 22, whereinthe overflow is arranged in the lower part of the outer pot, the lowerpart being segmented.
 24. The plant pot as clamed in claim 22, furthercomprising an annular wall that separates the water storage area and theoverflow.
 25. The plant pot as claimed in claim 17, wherein the at leastone inner pot rim opening is arranged in the inner pot rim and laterallyfrom the outer pot rim.
 26. The plant pot as claimed in claim 17,further comprising at least one outer pot rim opening arranged in theouter pot rim and laterally from the inner pot rim.
 27. The plant pot asclaimed in claim 17, further comprising a water level indicator in thewater receptacle.
 28. The plant pot as claimed in claim 27, wherein thewater level indicator is disposed inside the water-refilling element.29. The plant pot as claimed in claim 27, further comprising at leastone outer pot rim opening wherein the water level indicator is disposedin the at least one outer pot rim opening.
 30. The plant pot as claimedin claim 27, wherein the water level indicator is disposed in the atleast one inner pot rim opening.
 31. The plant pot as claimed in claim17, wherein the water-refilling element further comprises an inflowelement.
 32. The plant pot as claimed in claim 17, further comprising anintake area being a recess, wherein the water-refilling element isdisposed in the intake area in the inner interior space.
 33. The plantpot as claimed in claim 32, wherein the wall of the inner pot proximateto the inflow area is not provided with openings.
 34. The plant pot asclaimed in claim 17, wherein the water-refilling element furthercomprises a dividing element that forms a closed canal with the wall ofthe inner pot.
 35. The plant pot as claimed in claim 34, wherein thedividing element is a cylindrical casing surface element.
 36. The plantpot as claimed in claim 18, wherein the casing comprises a top and abottom, the bottom being wider than the top, the bottom beingsubstantially conically shaped.
 37. The plant pot as claimed in claim17, wherein the height of the at least one indentation is greater thanthe maximum water level.
 38. A plant pot, particularly for house plants,comprising: an outer pot having an outer open top, a lower part, atleast two ventilation openings in the lower part, and an outer pot rim,the outer pot at least partially defining an outer interior space; aninner pot having an inner open top for receipt of plant substratum, awall, a base, at least one indentation in the base open to the inneropen top, an inner pot rim, and at least one inner pot rim opening, theinner pot being sized to fit within the outer pot and at least partiallydefining an inner interior space; a water receptacle having a waterstorage area; and a water-refilling element; wherein the inner pot canbe at least partially arranged inside the outer interior space such thata space is provided between the inner pot and the outer pot thatconnects the at least two ventilation openings with the at least oneinner pot rim opening.